Gyroscopic torque converter

ABSTRACT

A gyro torque converter includes an input shaft and an output shaft. An outer gimbal is supported by the input shaft and the output shaft. An inner gimbal is rotatably mounted within the outer gimbal. The inner gimbal is connected to be rotatably driven by the input shaft. A gyro is rotatably mounted within the inner gimbal.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The disclosures herein relate generally to power transmission andmore particularly to a gyroscopic torque converter.

[0002] Many attempts have been made to provide an efficient mechanicalpower transmission device that can successfully be used between aconstant speed power source and a variable speed load for appreciablemagnitudes of power. Most of those devices have been faced with the sameproblem, namely, after a spinning flywheel has been precessed 180°,there is a change in direction of the gyroscopic torque that isdeveloped. Previous devices have attempted to overcome this reversal byallowing the gyroscope flywheel to turn about four axes, namely, thespin axis, the precession axis, the power axis, and a fourth axis whichkeeps the output torque unidirectional. This leads to a complexmechanism which cannot practically deliver appreciable power in amachine of usable size. Furthermore, this complexity leads to aprohibitive manufacturing cost.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 1,992,457, discloses a torque converter in which aspinning gyroscope is given a unidirectional input precession motion andwhich will produce a unidirectional resultant torque on an ultimatelydriven member varying within a wide range of values according to theresisting load on the ultimately driven member, and in which theresultant output precession movements of the gyroscope take place aboutthe axis of the ultimately driven member.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,639,631, discloses a torque converter whichutilizes the gyroscopic torque by decreasing the flywheel spin speedduring the portion of the precession cycle when the direction of thedeveloped torque is opposite to the desired direction. Hence, a numberof flywheels, each producing an oscillating torque which is greater inone direction, can be combined to produce a constant unidirectionaltorque.

[0005] Therefore, what is needed is a torque converter device whichovercomes the problems associated with previous devices and which is notoverly complex or costly.

SUMMARY

[0006] One embodiment, accordingly, provides a torque converter whichprovides an efficient mechanical power transmission device that can beused between a constant speed power source and a variable speed load forappreciable magnitudes of power. To this end, a gyro torque converterincludes an input shaft and an output shaft. An outer gimbal issupported by the input shaft and the output shaft. An inner gimbal isrotatably mounted within the outer gimbal. The inner gimbal is connectedto be rotatably driven by the input shaft. A gyro is rotatably mountedwithin the inner gimbal.

[0007] A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the torqueconverter device avoids the problems associated with prior deviceswithout undue mechanical complexity or cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of agyroscopic torque converter.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating another embodiment of agyroscopic torque converter.

[0010]FIG. 3 is an isometric view illustrating a further embodiment of agyroscopic torque converter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In FIG. 1, a gyro torque converter is designated 10 and includesan input shaft 12 and an output shaft 14. An outer gimbal 16 issupported by the input shaft 12 and the output shaft 14. An inner gimbal18 is rotatably mounted within the outer gimbal 16. The inner gimbal isconnected to be rotatably driven by the input shaft 12. A gyro 20 isrotatably mounted within the inner gimbal 18.

[0012] A first drive member 22 is connected to rotate with the inputshaft 12, and a second drive member 24 is rotatably driven by the firstdrive member 22. In this embodiment, the first and second drive members22, 24, respectively, are a pair of meshed gears, however it isrecognized that other first and second drive members can beinterconnected by a drive belt (not shown).

[0013] A first shaft 26 is connected to the second drive member 24 andto the inner gimbal 18 for rotating the inner gimbal 18. A second shaft28 is mounted in the inner gimbal 18 for supporting the gyro 20. Thefirst shaft 26 is positioned at an angle ∝ relative to the second shaft28. The angle ∝ is less than 90 degrees.

[0014] A roller clutch 30 is mounted on the output shaft 14 so that theouter gimbal 16 is rotatable in only one direction. Roller clutch 30 isa commercially available device and can be purchased from BergManufacturing.

[0015] The second drive member 24 is mounted on an outer peripheralsurface 16 a of outer gimbal 16. Also, a counter-balance member 32 ismounted on the outer gimbal 16 and positioned substantially opposite thesecond drive member 24 to counter the weight of the second drive member24.

[0016] In FIG. 2, a gyro torque converter 110 includes an input shaft112 fixedly connected to rotate a first drive member 122. An outergimbal 116 is supported by the input shaft 112. A second drive member124 is driven by the first drive member 122. An inner gimbal 118 ismounted within the outer gimbal 116. A gyro 120 is rotatably mountedwithin the inner gimbal 118 and an output shaft 114 is connected torotate with the outer gimbal 116.

[0017] An intermediate drive means interconnects the first drive member122 and the second drive member 124. The intermediate drive meansincludes a plurality of gears 123, 125, 127 meshed between the firstdrive member 122 and the second drive member 124. It is recognized thatother drive members can be interconnected by a drive belt (not shown).

[0018] A first shaft 126 is connected to the second drive member 124 andthe inner gimbal 118 for rotating the inner gimbal 118. A second shaft128 is mounted in the inner gimbal 118 for supporting the gyro 120. Thefirst shaft 126 is positioned substantially at a right angle ∝ relativeto the second shaft 128.

[0019] A roller clutch 130 is mounted on the output shaft 114 so thatthe outer gimbal 116 is rotatable in only one direction Roller clutch130 is commercially available as mentioned above.

[0020] The second drive member 124 is mounted on an outer peripheralsurface 116 a of outer gimbal 116. Also, a counter-balance member 132 ismounted on the outer gimbal 116 and positioned substantially oppositethe second drive member 124 to counter the weight of the second drivemember 124.

[0021] In FIG. 3, a gyro torque converter 210 includes an input shaft212 fixedly connected to rotate a first drive member 222. An outergimbal 216 is supported by the input shaft 212. A second drive member224 is driven by the first drive member 222. An inner gimbal 218 ismounted within the outer gimbal 216. A gyro 220 is rotatably mountedwithin the inner gimbal 218 and an output shaft 214 is connected torotate with the outer gimbal 216.

[0022] An intermediate drive means interconnects the first drive member222 and the second drive member 224. The intermediate drive meansincludes a plurality of gears 223, 225, 227, 229 meshed between thefirst drive member 222 and the second drive member 224. It is recognizedthat other drive members can be interconnected by a drive belt (notshown). The plurality of gears includes bevel gears 225, 227, otherwisethe embodiment of FIG. 3 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0023] A first shaft 226 is connected to the second drive member 224 andthe inner gimbal 218 for rotating the inner gimbal 218. A second shaft228 is mounted in the inner gimbal 218 for supporting the gyro 220. Thefirst shaft 226 is positioned substantially at a right angle ∝ relativeto the second shaft 228. A roller clutch 230, as discussed above, isalso mounted on the output shaft 214.

[0024] The gyro used in the foregoing embodiments is preferably anelectrically driven gyro that may be fabricated or may be commerciallyavailable. The gyro can be continuously rotated by an electric motor.Rotation of one of the two shafts (input shaft) produces a torque on theother shaft (output shaft). Power in one shaft can transfer power to aload on the other shaft. In one example, a steel gyro 4 inches indiameter and 3 inches long, rotating at 3700 rpm, and with the powerinput shaft rotating at 5200 rpm, will transmit about 180 horsepower tothe output shaft.

[0025] As it can be seen, the principal advantages of these embodimentsare that a non-complex, cost efficient gyro torque converter is providedwhich has practical uses such as, for example, in automobiletransmissions.

[0026] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described,a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated inthe foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of theembodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gyro torque converter comprising: an inputshaft and an output shaft; an outer gimbal supported by the input shaftand the output shaft; an inner gimbal rotatably mounted within the outergimbal, the inner gimbal being connected to be rotatably driven by theinput shaft; and a gyro rotatably mounted within the inner gimbal. 2.The torque converter as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a firstdrive member connected to rotate with the input shaft.
 3. The torqueconverter as defined in claim 2 further comprising: a second drivemember rotatably driven by the first drive member.
 4. The torqueconverter as defined in claim 3 further comprising: a first shaftconnected to the second drive member and the inner gimbal for rotatingthe inner gimbal.
 5. The torque converter as defined in claim 4 furthercomprising: a second shaft mounted in the inner gimbal for supportingthe gyro.
 6. The torque converter as defined in claim 5 wherein thefirst shaft is positioned at an angle relative to the second shaft, theangle being less than 90 degrees.
 7. The torque converter as defined inclaim 1 further comprising: a roller clutch mounted on the output shaftso that the outer gimbal is rotatable in only one direction
 8. Thetorque converter as defined in claim 3 wherein the second drive memberis mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the outer gimbal andfurther comprising: a counter-balance mounted on the outer gimbalsubstantially opposite the second drive member.
 9. A gyro torqueconverter comprising: an input shaft fixedly connected to rotate a firstdrive member; an outer gimbal supported by the input shaft; a seconddrive member driven by the first drive member; a second shaft driven bythe second drive member; an inner gimbal mounted within the outer gimbaland rotated by the second shaft; a gyro rotatably mounted within theinner gimbal; and an output shaft connected to rotate with the outergimbal.
 10. The torque converter as defined in claim 9 furthercomprising: an intermediate drive means interconnecting the first drivemember and the second drive member.
 11. The torque converter as definedin claim 9 further comprising: a first shaft connected to the seconddrive member and the inner gimbal for rotating the inner gimbal.
 12. Thetorque converter as defined in claim 11 further comprising: a secondshaft mounted in the inner gimbal for supporting the gyro.
 13. Thetorque converter as defined in claim 12 wherein the first shaft ispositioned substantially at a right angle relative to the second shaft.14. The torque converter as defined in claim 9 further comprising: aroller clutch mounted on the output shaft so that the outer gimbal isrotatable in only one direction.
 15. The torque converter as defined inclaim 9 wherein the second drive member is mounted on an outerperipheral surface of the outer gimbal and further comprising: acounter-balance mounted on the outer gimbal opposite the second drivemember.
 16. The torque converter as defined in claim 10 wherein theintermediate drive means includes a plurality of gears meshed betweenthe first drive member and the second drive member.
 17. The torqueconverter as defined in claim 16 wherein the plurality of gears includesbevel gears.
 18. A method of operating a gyro torque convertercomprising: fixedly connecting an input shaft to rotate a first drivemember; connecting an outer gimbal to be supported the by input shaft;connecting a second drive member to be driven by the first drive member;driving a first shaft by connection with the second drive member;mounting an inner gimbal within the outer gimbal; rotating the innergimbal by means of the first shaft; rotatably mounting a gyro within theinner gimbal; and connecting an output shaft to rotate with the outergimbal.
 19. The method as defined in claim 18 further comprising:mounting a second shaft in the inner gimbal for supporting the gyro. 20.The method as defined in claim 19 further comprising: positioning thefirst shaft at an angle relative to the second shaft, the angle beingless than 90 degrees.